The XWord Info Bar Game can’t compete with the Crossword or Finder pages, but it’s surprisingly popular, with many repeat visitors. This post explains why, what’s new, how it’s used, and asks your opinion about various feature requests.
It’s a game? How do I win?
Well, it’s not much of a game, since there are no rules, no obvious way to keep score, and no fabulous prizes.
Here’s how it works. We scan the answer words used in Shortz Era crosswords, and randomly pick one that’s not too short or too long, and is scored relatively high. Then we randomly show you one of the clues that’s been used for that word. You try to guess the answer as the letters are revealed one at a time.
Constructor photos!
The UI has been spiffed up, but the biggest change is that we now show you photos of the constructors ostensibly responsible for the clue you’re seeing. This turns out to be both helpful and interesting.
The obvious benefit is that as you get more familiar with the styles of various constructors, it’s helps you synch up with their likely mindset. Some constructors are more traditional, some more edgy, and some have distinct personalities or philosophies.
The more surprising benefit is that it surfaces some of the constructor greats who don’t contribute as regularly now. You’ll often see pictures of Manny Nosowsky or Elizabeth Gorski or Rich Norris. Maybe that gives you pleasant flashbacks, or maybe it encourages you to seek out their past work.
Bar Game Benefits
Here’s what we hear most from users:
- It’s great prep for crossword competitions.
- The random glimpses into past clues can inspire new ideas for constructors.
- It’s fun to run in a window off to the side while I’m working on other stuff.
None of those were intended, but we’re glad you enjoy it.
Suggestions for the future
We get many requests for new features on pages throughout the website. The most frequent Bar Game requests are:
- Add an option to show Cryptic or PandA clues but slow down the reveal for those!
- Show me only Saturday clues (or let me choose the day of the week.)
- Make it work better on phones. (It works fine, except constructor photos aren’t shown.)
- Make it free. (We’ve done that — there are no ads, and no account is required.)
What’s that link again?
Find the XWord Info Bar Game here.
Let us know what you think.